Women's Tennis Signee Khval Wins National Doubles Title

Recent Liberty women's tennis signee Maria Khval captured the Belarus U18 national doubles championship this past weekend in Minsk. As a result of her national championship, Khval was awarded the prestigious European title "The Master of Sports."

In the quarterfinals, Khval and partner Anastasiya Shleptsova breezed through their matchup against Aliona Ladutska (ITF world ranking 450) and Karina Silkina (ITF world ranking 1651), 6-1, 6-1. In the semifinals, Khval and Shleptsova outlasted Alina Zubkova (ITF world ranking 429) and Kondratiuk in three sets, 7-5, 6-7 (9-7), 10-8. Khval and Shleptsova delivered a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Palina Dubavets (ITF world ranking 238) and Lizaveta Gordeeva (ITF world ranking 1932) to claim the title.

"To be a national champion is a great honor," commented Liberty head coach Jeff Maren. "Maria has been playing at a high level for some time now, and I have no doubt that she will arrive here in August ready to continue her winning ways!"